Memorial of Saints (January 27)

Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials of Saints

• Angela Merici, virgin
• Julian of Le Mans, bishop
• Marius or May, abbot
• Vitalian, pope

St. Angela Merici (ca. 1470/74-1540 A.D.) was one of the Saints and Leaders of the Counter Reformation that sparked and enkindled a spiritual revival in the Church.

The leaders who reawakended Catholic life together with Angela Merici:

• St. Philip Neri (1515-1595 A.D.)
• St. Teresa of Avila (d. 1582 A.D.)
• St. John of the Cross (d. 1591 A.D.)
• St. John of God (d. 1550 A.D.)
• St. Camillus of Lellis (d. 1614 A.D.)
• St. Jane Frances de Chantal (d. 1641 A.D.)
• Peter of Bérulle (d. 1629 A.D.)
• St. John Eudes (d. 1680 A.D.)
• St. Vincent de Paul (d. 1660 A.D.)
• Armand Jean Le Bouthillier de Rancé (d. 1700 A.D.)
• St. John Baptist de la Salle (d. 1719 A.D.)
• St. Ignatius of Loyola (d. 1556 A.D.)

St. Angela Merici founded the Ursuline nuns. At first, she became a Franciscan tertiary and began to devote her life to the education of poor girls. But then, she and several companions placed themselves under the patronage of St. Ursula, who may have been a fourth-century British princess who was martyred. They began with no vows and wore lay clothing. Soon, they followed a Rule which prescribed virginity, poverty and obedience. The community finally became a Congregation in 1544 A.D. St. Angela Merici was canonized in 1807 A.D.

Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [January 27]

• Translation of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom